We’ve waxed lyrical about iBooks Author at the technological level, but a good self-publishing platform counts for nothing if authors are put off by its terms and conditions. A particular source of antagonism so far has been the notion that, if an author decides to charge a fee for their iBook, then Apple will claim exclusive distribution rights and prevent them from publishing their work anywhere else. Check out the More Coverage links below and you’ll see that a number of writers tore up Apple’s licensing agreement and flung it into the proverbial overflowing trash can. Now though, Cupertino has done some re-writing of its own and come up with a new EULA. It clarifies that Apple will only demand exclusive distribution rights over .ibooks files that are created with iBooks Author, rather than the book’s content itself. It states that “this restriction will not apply to the content of the work when distributed in [another] form.” So, there it is — writers everywhere can happily go back to tearing up their own work again.

iBooks Author gets new EULA, aims to clear writer’s block originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Major publications, including the NYTimes, USA Today, The Chicago Sun-Times, PcMag and The Wall Street Journal were equipped with iPad units to review to begin the first sanctioned review publications of the upcoming iPad tablet device.

Pogue takes two approaches in his review: The view of the ‘Techies’ and the side of the ‘Everyone else’: To use the iPad, “You operate the iPad by tapping and dragging on the glass with your fingers, just as on the iPhone. “ but David then proceeds to state that once the screen is off all the fingerprints and marks whilst using the device are “grossly visible.” As for the iPads processor and hardware speed, its a winner – “At least Apple had the decency to give the iPad a really fast processor. Things open fast, scroll fast, load fast. Surfing the Web is a heck of a lot better than on the tiny iPhone screen first, because its so fast, and second, because you dont have to do nearly as much zooming and panning.”

His general consensus – That a laptop will achieve more for less money. But in his section for ‘Everyone Else’

“And the techies are right about another thing the iPad is not a laptop. Its not nearly as good for creating stuff. On the other hand, its infinitely more convenient for consuming it books, music, video, photos, Web, email and so on. For most people, manipulating these digital materials directly by touching them is a completely new experience and a deeply satisfying one.

The bottom line is that the iPad has been designed and built by a bunch of perfectionists. If you like the concept, youll love the machine.

The only question is: Do you like the concept?” We will see this coming weekend if users like the concept from both the “Everyday” world and the “Techie world.”

Walter has said that the upcoming iPad device has the ability to change portable computing profoundly, but to achieve this it first has to prove and accomplish the task of defining itself as a laptop alternative, but as other tablet devices have failed to achieve and get into the grand scheme of things with their devices, the iPad does also infact lack many features, “such as a physical keyboard, a Webcam, USB ports and multitasking.” the features quoted are nowadays expected from a portable computer system and many users require such features to enable functioning within their businesses, work place and for general personal experience and usage. Walter also goes onto say that users have to adapt to the change, he used his iPad heavily day and night in replace of the bulky and heavier laptop and computer systems and he found it a pleasure to use.

“For the past week or so, I have been testing a sleek, light, silver-and-black tablet computer called an iPad. After spending hours and hours with it, I believe this beautiful new touch-screen device from Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop. It could even help eventually, to propel the finger driven, multi-touch user interface ahead of the mouse-driven interface that has prevailed for decades.”

Depending on how one uses a computer system these days will determine whether the iPad is right for your needs as a user and consumer. but to fully grasp its uniqueness you will have to try the iPad tablet yourself and make your own judgments and observations.

“The most compelling sign that Apple got this right is the fact that despite the novelty of the iPad the excitement slips away after about ten seconds and you are completely focused on the task at hand. Whether its reading a book, writing a report or working on clearing your Inbox. Second most compelling in situation after situation, I find that the iPad is the best computer in my household and office menagerie. Its not a replacement for my notebook, mind you. It feels more as if the iPad is filling a gap thats existed for quite some time.”

Andy said that the user experience for the new device is exceptional and elegant.

“Aside from Apple enthusiasts, many of us wondered who would drop hundreds of dollars for this not-quite-computer. But having used the iPad for some time, I can tell you that the device just makes sense. When you combine basic-but-essential work tools with iWork, an improved browser, e-mail, iPod, and photo applications, a well-executed e-Book platform with iBooks, and throw in thousands of downloadable apps and games, and package it all in a gorgeous, slim slate with a beautiful 9.7-inch touch screen, you have yourself a winner. Is the iPad cheap No. Is it flawless Not at all. Omissions including support for multi-tasking, a built-in camera for video chats, and Flash support in Safari leave room for improvement, but otherwise, the Apple iPad is a very convincing debut. And it will undoubtedly be a driving force in shaping the emerging tablet landscape.”

Tim, gave the iPad a “4.5 red dots out of 5″

“The first iPad is a winner. It stacks up as a formidable electronic-reader rival for Amazons Kindle. It gives portable game machines from Nintendo and Sony a run for their money. At the very least the iPad will likely drum up mass-market interest in tablet computing in ways that longtime tablet visionary and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates could only dream of. Apple has pretty much nailed it with this first iPad, though theres certainly room for improvement. Nearly three years after making a splash with the iPhone, Apple has delivered another impressive product that largely lives up to the hype.”

Over the upcoming week thousands of reviews will be places by the everyday consumer and the techies, we will all wait in anticipation for the launch of what looks like to shape up as a very successful tablet device by Apple. Stay tuned.

PCMag’s Tim Gideon takes an in-depth look at Apple’s iPad prior to the April 3rd launch. Is Apple’s first tablet a game-changing device? Exlpore iBooks, iWork, Mail, Maps, and other anticipated apps as we take a close look at the latest high profile gadget from Apple. For the full written review, visit www.pcmag.com.

The recession has finally reached the stench filled bedrooms of ‘the gamer’, as gaming sales have plummeted to a nine-year-low. It initially seemed that gaming was part of the select band of recession proof industries, as people holed away in their bedrooms playing Call Of Duty 4 as opposed to squandering money on such frivilous things as “a social life”. But gaming sales plummeted 31% this year, down to $1.1 billion. Yes – down to. Console sales fell the most, at 38%, but this would make sence as their are, after all, only a finite number of viable gamers and this generation of consoles has been about for a while now. Game sales also fell while the Xbox 360 actually managed to increase its sales in July. (Via PCMag)